ENGINEER TO RETIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21326, 29 October 1932, Page 10

ENGINEER TO RETIRE

FORTY YEARS' SERVICE MR. J. E. W. McENNIS* CAREER [from our omi correspondent] WHANGAREI, Friday Mr. John Edward Walpole McEnnis, district engineer, Public Works Department, Whangarei, and chairman of the No. 1 District Highway Council, stated to-day that he will retire on March 31, 1933, after completing 40 years' servica in the Public Service. He will hand over his duties on November 30 to Mr. R. H. P. Ronayne, district engineer, Wellington, and proceed on four months' leave of absence. Mr. McEnnis joined the Public Works Department as engineering cadet ra 1893, and was connected with the construction of the railway link between Eketahuna and Woodville. From 1895 to 1897 ha was assistant-engineer on the Midland Railway, and for the next three years was engaged on railway survey, Napier to Gisborne. For six years Mr. McEnnis was engaged on the Main Trunk railway, when a large programme was undertaken, the chief works being the construction of the spiral and thj Makatote viaduct. In 1906 Mr. McEnnis was promoted resident engineer at Cheviot, and two years later he was in charge of construction on the North Auckland Main Trunk railway, Wayby to Kaiwaka. When the Roads Department was amalgamated with the Public Works in 1908, Mr. McEnnis was sent'" as first district engineer in charge of the North Auckland district at Whangarei. From 191.2 to 1915 he acted as district engineer in Otago, where many railway works were completed, and a commencement was made with irrigation schemes. The following five years were spent in Christ church, and Jn 1920 Mr. McEnnis returned to Whangarei as district engineer. Since the inauguration of the " main highway system in 1924 Mr. McEnni* has been chairm.-tn of No 1 District Highway Council. «Mr. McEnnis has always taken a great interest in the advancement of the North, and is very optimistic as to its future.